06/07/2026
📱 Cell phones are everywhere, and I keep seeing younger and younger kids with them. But I’m going to continue to fight the good fight.
This trip was a good reminder of how screens can affect experiences. Our group was great, but I saw so many kids not taking in their surroundings and instead being on a screen 🥺
When kids ask Aria why she doesn’t have a phone, she says, “It’s okay, I have a watch.” 🩷
Seriously though, smart watches are the way to go IMO.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages families to focus less on a specific age and more on readiness, supervision, and healthy habits.
Here are a few key recommendations:
✔️ Delay smartphones when possible
✔️ Create screen-free times (meals, bedtime, family time)
✔️ Keep phones OUT of bedrooms overnight
✔️ Use parental controls and monitor apps/social media
✔️ Teach digital safety early: privacy, cyberbullying, and online strangers
✔️ Model healthy phone habits as adults
The AAP also recommends developing a Family Media Plan so expectations are clear and consistent for everyone in the home.
Questions to ask before giving a phone:
📍Does my child show responsibility?
📍Can they follow rules consistently?
📍Do they truly need a smartphone — or would a basic phone/watch work?
📍Are we prepared to supervise and have ongoing conversations?
Technology isn’t all bad — phones can help kids connect, learn, and stay safe. The goal is balanced, healthy use with guidance and boundaries. 💙
